A Christmas Visit with Astor and Aliten (and Amedium)

A comeback no one asked for, but everyone needed.

They are both students, from Trøndelag, and perhaps most importantly, friends. One is big, the other is small. We have all missed them. Astor and Aliten are making a comeback like never before in this Christmas edition of Tuntréet. Once again, we were allowed into their warm home to hear how life is going, what Christmas means to the friends, and whether the friendship survived last year’s dramatic intrigues. Have they stayed together? Who exactly is Amedium? And most important of all: red or brown Christmas soda?

Journalist: Marie Tjelta
Translator: Ida Jystad
Photographer: Eline Marie Alm

A new chapter

We meet Astor and Aliten at UKEkontoret in Kontorfløya at Samfunnet, a new chapter for the friends. Both have since taken on roles in the UKE Board 2026. Astor has become Head of Marketing for UKA – and Aliten, naturally, for miniUKA. This has made everyday life busy, they admit, and stolen some of the time they used to have for each other.

“But when we do hang out, it’s like before… almost,” says Aliten, pushing a gingerbread heart into his mouth.

The breakup and intrigues

Tuntréet must of course ask about the rumors that have flourished in the Ås bubble: Did the duo break up? Were they on the verge of moving apart? Astor sighs heavily. Aliten looks away. The tension is tangible. It turns out that the big fight started with one small question. The question that can split families, associations, and, as we now know, friends: Red or brown Christmas soda?

“It has to be brown!” declares Astor.

“No, it’s not Christmas without red!” scoffs Aliten.

It all became so dramatic that Aliten threatened to move to Lillestrøm – the only place where he “felt understood.” Luckily, they found their way back to each other and agreed not to let soda ruin the friendship… for now.

Big dreams for the future

MiniUKA is just around the corner, but Aliten is already looking further ahead. He is dreading the lonely time when Astor becomes completely absorbed in UKA this autumn. Then he will have to make toast alone, take his jogs on lillebrand alone, and watch his favorite movie “Downsizing” completely alone. So now he has made a big decision:

“AH’M GONNA TAKE A LEAP AND BECOME A STAAAR!!”

After miniUKA, he is going to travel to New York to bet everything on Broadway.

“Small Man, Big Dreams – The Aliten Story,” he says dreamily.

We at Tuntréet naturally hope for a travel letter about the adventure from the Big Apple in spring. Astor gently lifts Aliten all the way to the top of the tree, where he proudly places the star: “It’ll be me one day,” he winks at the photographer.

Amedium – the duo’s third man

While the boys are hanging Christmas ornaments, a third figure suddenly appears in the office. He introduces himself as Amedium.

“I’m actually also part of the group,” he says dramatically.

“But it’s not that special to be… ordinary. I’m just mid.”

Tuntréet barely manages to note the quote before Aliten suddenly falls into the Christmas stocking, and the whole room bursts into chaos and laughter. Amedium sighs heavily and sinks back into the shadows.

Small and big Christmas traditions

When the Christmas tree is finally decorated, we ask what they want under it for Christmas.

“Barbie Dreamhouse™, the newest model,” says Aliten.

“It has a pool. And it’s much cheaper than SiÅs rent.”

For the duo, Christmas is of course not only about decorations and gingerbread. Tuntréet asks what their favorite Christmas tradition is, and the answer comes instantly:

“Aquavit tasting!” they say in unison, before adding that it rarely lasts long.

“But we never get further than two sips before Aliten is… gone.” Astor explains, adding that Aliten has been given the nickname Lightweight in the miniUKEboard.

“He can’t drive for three days after one beer,” Astor says, exasperated.

After a day filled with Christmas joy, we thank them for the hospitality – and wish the friends the best of luck going forward.

Whatever life has to offer, big or small, it seems the two stand firm together.

Merry Christmas, Astor and Aliten

and Amedium… sorry, almost forgot you!